Bhairava (Maha Kala Bhairava) (Sanskrit: भैरव, lit. frightful) is a Shaivite deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation. In Trika system Bhairava represents Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman. Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Dandapani (as he holds a rod or Danda to punish sinners) and Swaswa meaning "whose vehicle is a dog". In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is considered a fierce emanation of boddhisatva Mañjuśrī and also called Heruka, Vajrabhairava and Yamantaka.